FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
State Education Department Awards $13.36 Million in Grants to Expand Universal Prekindergarten Programs
State Education Department Awards $13.36 Million in Grants to Expand Universal Prekindergarten Programs
The Viva88Education Department (Viva88) awarded $13.36 million in Universal Prekindergarten (UPK) Expansion Grants to 31 school districts across the state, Commissioner Betty A. Rosa announced today. The grants enable school districts to increase prekindergarten availability for four-year-old students.
“Providing high-quality educational opportunities to our youngest learners is crucial for their future success,” said Board of Regents Chancellor Lester W. Young, Jr. “The UPK Expansion Grant will allow more children to benefit from early learning that will help them build the skills needed to thrive in school and life.”
“When we strengthen supports and provide equitable opportunities for children in their early years, we see the benefits throughout their school years and beyond,” said Commissioner Rosa. “The Department is committed to expanding universal full-day prekindergarten programs that provide a strong educational foundation for our children, resulting in positive long-term outcomes.”
The Department awarded these competitive grants based on a district’s plan to serve a community’s highest need schools and students, the level of existing prekindergarten services, and the extent to which a district planned to maximize the total number of eligible four-year-old children served in its programs, among other factors. These funds may be used during the 2021-22 or 2022-23 school years.
Final approval of the grants is subject to the review and approval of the Office of the State Comptroller. Grants will be awarded to the following school districts:
| School District | Award Amount |
|---|---|
|
Barker CSD |
$150,000 |
|
Bay Shore UFSD |
$280,000 |
|
Bedford CSD |
$360,000 |
|
Brushton-Moira CSD |
$150,000 |
|
Coxsackie-Athens CSD |
$360,000 |
|
East Ramapo CSD |
$400,000 |
|
Farmingdale UFSD |
$360,000 |
|
Fonda-Fultonville CSD |
$180,000 |
|
Frewsburg CSD |
$180,000 |
|
Glen Cove City SD |
$400,000 |
|
Greater Johnstown City SD |
$180,000 |
|
Greece CSD |
$360,000 |
|
Pine Valley CSD |
$180,000 |
|
Port Chester-Rye UFSD |
$1,400,000 |
|
Poughkeepsie City SD |
$840,000 |
|
Pulaski Academy & CSD |
$180,000 |
|
Riverhead CSD |
$600,000 |
|
Rome City SD |
$1,000,000 |
|
Roosevelt UFSD |
$540,000 |
|
Rush Henrietta CSD |
$1,000,000 |
|
Seneca Falls CSD |
$360,000 |
|
Sodus CSD |
$180,000 |
|
Southern Cayuga CSD |
$180,000 |
|
Springs UFSD |
$420,000 |
|
Thousand Islands CSD |
$360,000 |
|
Valley Central UFSD |
$400,000 |
|
Victor CSD |
$400,000 |
|
Warsaw CSD |
$540,000 |
|
Waterloo CSD |
$360,000 |
|
Wayland-Cohocton CSD |
$160,000 |
|
Yonkers City SD |
$900,000 |
Please visit Viva88’s Early Learning website for more information about prekindergarten programs in New York State.
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